Factory Obscura is back and better than ever, and now in their very own space! I mean, as much as I loved going to random tire warehouses on the outskirts of town, I’m happy that the Factory Obscura team now has a permanent spot to call home. Obviously we were pretty pumped to check it out during our November trip.
Enter the Mix-Tape.
Probably my favorite room in the mix (pun intended) was a life-sized and fully functioning girl’s bedroom which I affectionately dubbed “Smells Like Tween Spirit.” I was instantly transported to the days when I could be found lying on my carpeted floor, surrounded by magazine clippings, and blasting some melodramatic song that perfectly surmised my teen angst. In this edition, and in a show of pure genius, the bedroom’s hairbrush became a microphone to sing into while lyrics of varying songs scrolled across the vanity mirror. My sister crooned to Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” as we flipped through the imaginary occupant’s diary… boys, amirite?
In another show of creepy teen genius, the hallway between the bedroom and the next immersion were lined with valentines and secret notes… or at least that’s what they appeared to be. In the beginning, the notes were hopeful and endearing but as you moved along the hallway, they became increasingly more distressed and paranoid, evoking the quick ups and downs of teen romance and young love. The only thing we were missing was Helga G. Pataki’s Arnold shrine.
Another great moment was this mystery video link. By punching random buttons and talking cryptically, we quickly realized that we were conversing with actual people and not an automation; we just couldn’t figure out where they were. Were they in another part of the warehouse? Were they on the other side of the wall? NO! This was actually connected to Factory Obscura’s sister art-house, Meow Wolf in New Mexico! So if you find yourself in Santa Fe, look for the purple shark eye shell!
Till we meet again Factory Obscura. Can’t wait to see what you’ll be cookin’ up for next year.